Hank (dog)

Hank
Hank in his mobile dog house
SpeciesDog
BreedBichon Frise mixed-breed
SexMale
Bornc. 2012
DiedSeptember 12, 2024 (aged 12–13)
Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Nation fromAmerican
Notable roleUnofficial mascot of the Milwaukee Brewers
OwnerWronski family
AppearanceWhite with grey
Named afterHank Aaron

Hank (c. 2012 – September 12, 2024), also known as Hank T. Dog,[1] was an unofficial mascot of the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball. Believed to be a part-Bichon Frise mixed-breed, Hank was rescued by the Brewers when he wandered into their spring training facility before the start of the 2014 season at about two or three years of age.

Background

Hank was a stray dog when he wandered around the fields of the spring training facility of the Milwaukee Brewers, located at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, Arizona, on February 17, 2014.[2][3][4] Hank was first spotted by security guards, and was then taken inside the facility by Brewers coach Ed Sedar. Hank weighed 11 pounds (5.0 kg), had been run over by a car, and had two chipped teeth.[5]

Team officials attempted to find an owner, and when one could not be found, they rescued Hank.[6] They took him to a veterinarian, where he was treated for a laceration.[7] The organization named him Hank in honor of Hank Aaron.[8] Hank competed in a Sausage Race during a spring training game wearing a hot dog costume on February 26.[9][10]

Reactions

Hank's story went viral on social media, and was covered by many news outlets.[7] The Brewers received over 1,000 requests to adopt Hank.[11] Towards the end of spring training, the Brewers announced that Hank would remain with the team.[7] He was included on a charter flight to Milwaukee in March; its arrival at Mitchell International Airport was attended by Chris Abele, the county executive for Milwaukee County, and Tom Barrett, the mayor of Milwaukee.[11][12] Fans met Hank at Miller Park in Milwaukee.[13] The team unveiled official Hank-themed merchandise.[4] Over 1,000 shirts, bearing the name "Hank" and the number "K9", were sold on the first day. The Brewers donated 20% of the proceeds to the Wisconsin Humane Society at the end of the 2014 MLB season.[14][15] By 2016, Hank and the Brewers had raised more than $300,000.[16]

Hank was adopted by Marti Wronski, the Brewers' vice president and general counsel, and her family, who live in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. Hank was believed to be between two and three years old and a bichon frise mixed-breed.[3] The Brewers had him attend many, but not all, home games.[14] By Opening Day, Hank's weight had increased to 15 pounds (6.8 kg).[5]

Bernie Brewer, the Brewers' official mascot, led Hank onto the field during introductions on Opening Day.[5][17] The next day, Hank had neutering surgery.[18] Hank had a Bobblehead giveaway on September 13, 2014.[19] Hank met baseball legend Hank Aaron on August 21, 2014.[20] In January 2015, Hank won the Golden Hydrant award when he was named Dog of the Year at the inaugural World Dog Awards.[21] On May 10, 2015, Hank had another bobblehead giveaway in his honor.[22]

Death

By 2018, Hank had limited public appearances, with a Brewers official saying the dog was not officially retired but "deserves to live the life of a loved pet."[23]

On September 12, 2024, Hank's owners announced that he had died, with the Brewers also announcing his death.[24][25][16]

See also

References

  1. ^ Scott, Nate (March 17, 2014). "Milwaukee gives Hank the Dog the amazing welcome he deserves". USA Today. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  2. ^ Mattioli, Kami (February 21, 2014). "Homeless Hank Aaron has joined the Milwaukee Brewers for spring training". Sporting News. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  3. ^ a b Stingl, Jim (March 18, 2014). "Hank the dog — Milwaukee's new favorite pastime". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Estes, Ben. "Hank the dog, a 'pup-culture icon,' lands safely in Milwaukee". Sporting News. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  5. ^ a b c McCalvy, Adam (March 27, 2014). "Puppy love: Hank a big hit with Brewers fans". MLB.com. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  6. ^ Scott, Nate (February 21, 2014). "15 photos of Hank, the adorable dog the Brewers found at spring training". USA Today. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c Pesetski, John (March 14, 2014). "Hank the Dog heading to Milwaukee, remaining part of Brewers family". Fox Sports. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  8. ^ Moyer, Caitlin (February 19, 2014). ""Fetcher" Reports to Spring Training; Tries to Walk On As Member of 2014 Brewers". Milwaukee Brewers. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014 – via Medium.
  9. ^ Machir, Troy (February 26, 2014). "Hank, the Brewers' new team dog, competes in Sausage Race". Sporting News. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  10. ^ Fogel, Anna (February 26, 2014). "Brewers' new mascot Hank the Dog runs in famous Sausage Race". NESN. Retrieved March 21, 2014.
  11. ^ a b McCalvy, Adam. "Hank getting a new home in Milwaukee". Brew Beat. MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  12. ^ Negley, Cassandra (March 14, 2014). "Hank the dog joins Milwaukee Brewers official roster". Sporting News. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  13. ^ "'Hank The Dog' Attracts Fans To Miller Park". CBS News Philadelphia. Associated Press. March 7, 2014. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  14. ^ a b "Hank the dog T-shirt sales may set Milwaukee Brewers record". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  15. ^ "Humane Society officials "floored" by impact Brewers Hank has had". FOX6Now.com. March 30, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  16. ^ a b McCalvy, Adam (September 13, 2024). "Remembering Hank the Dog, the Crew's beloved ballpark pup". MLB.com. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  17. ^ Scott, Nate (April 2014). "Hank the Dog receives standing ovation at Brewers opening day". USA Today. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  18. ^ Foran, Chris. "Hank the Brewers dog OK after surgery; headed to disabled list". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  19. ^ Uribarri, Jaime (March 27, 2014). "Brewers mascot, Hank, gets bobblehead night in Milwaukee". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  20. ^ Flanigan, Kathy. "Hank Aaron meets Hank the Brewers dog for the 1st time". jsonline.com. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  21. ^ "Milwaukee Brewers' Hank the Dog wins 'Dog of the Year'". SI.com. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  22. ^ Kirchen, Rich (April 2, 2015). "Hank the dog gets Miller Park merchandise kiosk, Mother's Day game bobblehead". Milwaukee Business Journal. Archived from the original on April 6, 2015.
  23. ^ Flanigan, Kathy (October 10, 2018). "One thing's been missing in all the Brewers hoopla: Where is Hank the dog? We'll tell you". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
  24. ^ Rytlewski, Evan [@Evanryt] (September 12, 2024). "Some really sad news: Hank the Dog has died. Legendary dog, a great moment for Milwaukee, I'll never forget the news stories and the memorabilia. Sending love to his owners. Here's hoping the Brewers keep his memory alive deep into October" (Tweet). Retrieved September 12, 2024 – via Twitter.
  25. ^ Kirby, Hannah (September 13, 2024). "Hank, the Milwaukee Brewers' beloved ballpark pup, has died". USA TODAY. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
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